Art Uncorked: Art Made Simple

Similar to the way that everyone always sings karaoke way better when they’ve had a few, the Woodmere Art Museum in Chestnut Hill is capitalizing on the creative juices found in the mystical connection between creativity and hooch. All you do is show up and pay ($30 for non-members and $25 for members), and you walk away a little more relaxed, carrying a new piece of art that you just made yourself—with lots of help, all as part of a series called Art Uncorked: Art Made Simple. Tonight, the focus is “Painting Made Simple ... Really Simple.” You don’t need paints, brushes, canvasses or easels—just a ride to Germantown Avenue, a thirst for wine and a spot on your wall for a new piece of “artwork.” This isn’t a class where you show up, a model drops a robe, and you make horrible freehand line drawings. No. This is like paint-by-numbers, by the line and with guidance. It may not be your vision, but you made it. And when it’s in your living room, and someone asks admiringly, “Oh, who did this?” You can honestly say, with your chest a little swoll, “I did.”

Can’t make it this week? Next Friday, its focus is similar: “Wine + Fun + Paint.” Nice title! Stefanie Lieberman leads both sessions, and no doubt knows how to put people at ease. It seems unlikely that there won’t be some kind of calming classical music or perhaps inoffensive world tunes playing, and chances are that everyone in attendance is simply looking to chill so hard that they won’t even glance over at your paltry skillset. Or they’ll be super-buzzed on booze and will gush over your promising future as a painter. Either way, everybody wins. / Bill Chenevert